The name of the book I chose to read is The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The reason behind me choosing this book is because it seemed like an interesting book that had a good reason behind it. Not only for the entertainment but so I can learn something that has actually happened. Also I’ve heard about the book on many occasions but I never got the chance to experience it myself. In conclusion those three letters on the front page of the book made me wonder what is on the inside of those covers. The name of the book makes you really think about what is going to happen or what the book is about. Just by saying the name The Color Purple doesn’t give any clue or small detail that can tell you or the reader what is going to occur.
The genre of the book
I think The Color Purple fits in the Historical Fiction and Young Adult category because it is an historical event that truly occurred. The explanation behind this statement is that the book explains how things were for African Americans during the time period in the book. It couldn’t possibly be put in any other category but this one. Also the word historical means that it is a very important time that happened or always remembered date. Just by looking at that definition I would automatically put this book in that category without any hesitation. The reason why I consider this book to be Young Adult is because it’s not really age appropriate for younger children. However, it does give a good message but it does contain some foul language that is not appropriate for a younger generation. As for the young adult generation it gives them an idea about what life was really like before they were even alive.
Summary of the book
The story is mainly about a fourteen year old girl that goes by the name of Celie. She lived with her mother and a man that her mother was married to. Her mother became severely ill and then died. But before she passed away her mother’s husband raped Celie and she ended up having two children by him and he got rid of the two children that she had. So that then left her childless. After the passing of her mother Celie’s life goes through many ups and downs and she doesn’t understand why. Her sister is sent away by Mr. because he wants to have sex with her just like he did with Celie but she wouldn’t allow it. She is then left in a house on a farm taking care of the all the children that Mr. has had by other women. Stuck in the bad situation she is in, Celie continues to write about her thoughts, the way she feels and what all goes on in the story. Celie meets many other people as the story continues to unravel. She also became a more wiser woman with a lot more knowledge of how to deal with Mr. and the mean things he does to her. Despite all of the bad things he has done, the both of them begin to have a bond between each other.
About the characters
Celie was the main character in the story. She has many difficulties and problems. She says,” Dear God, Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me.” Celie is a very confused child that doesn’t know why she is being raped by her mother’s husband and having kids by him. Celie lived on a farm and took care of the kids that Mr. had by other women. She always hoped that Mr. would find a woman to marry so he could leave her alone. “I keep hoping he fine somebody to marry.” Celie says. I would also consider Celie as a protector because she was very determined to keep her little sister Nettie safe from Mr. “Sometimes he still be looking at Nettie, but I always git in his light.”
Sofia was a woman that was married to Harpo which is Mr. son. She was also having a child by him as well. She was a very different person that was kind of expressed as very aggressive. When she met Mr. for the first time she didn’t hold her tongue. Sofia didn’t let him push her around like he did Celie. When the conversation occurs between Sofia and Mr. she has many body gesteures that shows how angry or flustered she is getting. “Sofia face git more ruddy. The skin move back on her forehead. Her ears raise.” Not only doesn’t she allow Mr. to disrespect her but she doesn't let Harpo either. Sofia also new how to fight back she never allowed anyody to beat her or do anything wrong to her. "Next time us see Harpo his face a mess have to bruises. His lips cut. One of his eyes shut like a fist. He walk stiff and say his teef ache."
Mr. was a very mean hearted person in the story. He didn't really like Celie that much because he said very harsh things, and did some very mean and cruel things to her. "He act like he can't stand me no more. Say I'm evil an always up to no good. He took my other little baby boy this time." Mr. believed in beating women because "wives are like children."You have to let'em know who got the upper hand. Nothng will do that better than a good sound beating." Mr. loved one specific woman in the story even though Celie was the one that he seemed to be with. He just wanted to dowhatver he wanted and he didn't really care who had something to say about. Mr. was a very care free man that didnt care about anyone but himself.
Themes
Preserver
One theme in this story is the way Celie thinks that the only way to preserver is to keep silent and try to make herself invisible. The letters that she wrote to God was a way of expressing herself without anyone knowing. Later in the story she becomes more out spoken to Shug Avery by telling her how she feels and the things that goes on. While in conversation with Shug, Celie discover a letter from her daughter and it gives her confidence to stand up to Mr. Celie then curses Mr. for all the wrong he has done to her and it makes her feel more free and outspoken. After standing up to Mr. Celie’s story dumbfounds and humbles him. It eventually makes him change his own life.
Observer
Celie did a lot of watching and just writing what she saw based on the things that happened. This was a very important thing because her being a very observant person she was able to express or explain things that no one could see. With Celie being able to observe things allows the story to go much more deeper than what the writer just said. It kind of unfolds so the reader can see things that's not on the surface of the story. While Celie observed the things that happened and watch everyone else it allowed the reader to know what happens with other people and not just Celie. Observing also allows the things that were seen to be processed and broken down to a much larger and better description. This was a very special component that Celie had.
Big Ideas
Identity
How would you feel if you didn’t have your own personality or identity? Well this is what Celie struggles with in the story. No one really knew her as Celie they all knew her as Mr.'s maid or just a girl that he had children with. Celie didn’t really know who she was herself. She was never able to express her feelings or thoughts to anyone but God. However, there did come a point in time where she was able to express herself to one person that she probably didn’t think she would and that’s Shug Avery. Before she was able to do that no one cared about her, they didn’t bother to ask her name. This had to have been a very crucial part for Celie.
Choices
A lot of readers would say why did Celie stay in the position she was in for so long, she had many changes to get away. Most readers don’t understand that during that time if you tried to leave from the man that owned you, it’s a possibility that she is going to lose her life. Celie was probably scared to leave and she didn’t know any better because that’s what she was taught as a child. She didn’t realize that what he was doing to her wasn’t right and it was actually a very bad thing. Growing up in the situation she was in leaving or running away wouldn’t be a good idea because one if he found her he could have killed her, or two she would have been dead because she had nowhere else to go. Sometimes readers don’t understand that this wasn’t only happening to Celie it was a very common thing that happens every low class woman.
Major Conflict[s]
It was a lot of conflicts or problems in the story but it was one that was the most important. Celie was raped at a very young child by a man that was supposed to be like a father to her. Not only did he rape her she had more than one child by him. This isn’t something that is normal or it’s supposed to happen. Celie deals with Person vs. Self and Person vs. Peron all throughout the story.
She has many problems with multiple people in the story not including herself. The struggle that Celie is having with herself is she doesn’t think she’s pretty or that anyone loves her because she has been called ugly and other horrible names by so many people. Celie also doesn’t believe that no one cares about the way she feels. Everyone thought that she was less than the bottom of a shoe. You would think that someone knowing or seeing this would try to help her, or tell her that she isn’t those things that she thinks about herself. Apparently no one even bothered to do those things except one person and that's Shug Avery.
Celie also deals with person vs. person. It’s so many people that she deals with in the story that is so mean and just a terrible person to her. With all the things that she has to deal with at home it is even doubled by other people. You would think that some people would be considerate and put themselves in her shoes, but as you can see that doesn’t happen very often. Celie deals with all the problems and issue about herself but the issues of others as well.
New Words
Strumpet- “He talked bout a strumpet in short skirts, smoking cigarettes, drinking gin.”
Definition- A strumpet is maybe a girl that is somewhat like a prostitute or a girl everyone likes.
Haggard- “She looked a little haggard with Sofia and Harpo children sprung on her at once, but she carry on.”
Definition- Haggard means shocked or surprised.
Feebleminded-“But if you smoke it to much it will make you feebleminded.”
Definition- Feebleminded means that you lose your mind or you are absentminded.
Jaunty- “She is a jaunty, stringy, blue-eyed woman, with hair the color of silver and dry grass.”
Definition- Jaunty means very happy or high spirited person.
Tither- “The ship was in a tither.”
Definition- Tither means trouble or in a bad position.
Similar Arts, Movies etc
This novel can relate to so many other books and movies that have been written in the past. The book Roots is similar to The Color Purple but it is just showed in a different way. Roots deal with the struggle of African Americans just like The Color Purple. Roots also deal with the issue of a specific individual pointed out in the story that is struggling with many issues of other people and themselves. The two characters are very much similar because they both are stuck in a situation where they are struggling to get out. Hoping that end is only near but not sure if it is.
The movie that has some similar qualities as The Color Purple is E.T The Extra Terrestrial. Both of them deal with one person that is lost and is struggling to get out of the place they are in. Even in the tough times they go through when it looks like they aren’t going to find the end they manage to still hang in there. And even make some friends on the way through their journey, some they were expecting and some not. Both individuals try their best to get out of their bad situation and I'm gladly to say the both of them do.
The picture that I chose to draw was a picture of some clouds and the sun coming through the clouds. The picture symbolizes God and his voice coming through the clouds. God was so important in the story because he was like her protector, listener, and basically her best friend. No one else knew her like he knew her. God was the most important to her because he made feel safe and that she could put all of her trust in him. As she writes in her last journal entry she wrote “Dear God, Dear Stars, Dear trees, Dear Sky, Dear peoples, Dear Everything, Dear God.” This shows her transformation to caring for everyone else except herself to an independent new woman and also that she is now free of all the things that kept her tied down.
The name of the book I chose to read is The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The reason behind me choosing this book is because it seemed like an interesting book that had a good reason behind it. Not only for the entertainment but so I can learn something that has actually happened. Also I’ve heard about the book on many occasions but I never got the chance to experience it myself. In conclusion those three letters on the front page of the book made me wonder what is on the inside of those covers. The name of the book makes you really think about what is going to happen or what the book is about. Just by saying the name The Color Purple doesn’t give any clue or small detail that can tell you or the reader what is going to occur.
The genre of the book
I think The Color Purple fits in the Historical Fiction and Young Adult category because it is an historical event that truly occurred. The explanation behind this statement is that the book explains how things were for African Americans during the time period in the book. It couldn’t possibly be put in any other category but this one. Also the word historical means that it is a very important time that happened or always remembered date. Just by looking at that definition I would automatically put this book in that category without any hesitation. The reason why I consider this book to be Young Adult is because it’s not really age appropriate for younger children. However, it does give a good message but it does contain some foul language that is not appropriate for a younger generation. As for the young adult generation it gives them an idea about what life was really like before they were even alive.
Summary of the book
The story is mainly about a fourteen year old girl that goes by the name of Celie. She lived with her mother and a man that her mother was married to. Her mother became severely ill and then died. But before she passed away her mother’s husband raped Celie and she ended up having two children by him and he got rid of the two children that she had. So that then left her childless.
After the passing of her mother Celie’s life goes through many ups and downs and she doesn’t understand why. Her sister is sent away by Mr. because he wants to have sex with her just like he did with Celie but she wouldn’t allow it. She is then left in a house on a farm taking care of the all the children that Mr. has had by other women. Stuck in the bad situation she is in, Celie continues to write about her thoughts, the way she feels and what all goes on in the story. Celie meets many other people as the story continues to unravel. She also became a more wiser woman with a lot more knowledge of how to deal with Mr. and the mean things he does to her. Despite all of the bad things he has done, the both of them begin to have a bond between each other.
About the characters
Celie was the main character in the story. She has many difficulties and problems. She says,” Dear God, Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me.” Celie is a very confused child that doesn’t know why she is being raped by her mother’s husband and having kids by him. Celie lived on a farm and took care of the kids that Mr. had by other women. She always hoped that Mr. would find a woman to marry so he could leave her alone. “I keep hoping he fine somebody to marry.” Celie says. I would also consider Celie as a protector because she was very determined to keep her little sister Nettie safe from Mr. “Sometimes he still be looking at Nettie, but I always git in his light.”
Sofia was a woman that was married to Harpo which is Mr. son. She was also having a child by him as well. She was a very different person that was kind of expressed as very aggressive. When she met Mr. for the first time she didn’t hold her tongue. Sofia didn’t let him push her around like he did Celie. When the conversation occurs between Sofia and Mr. she has many body gesteures that shows how angry or flustered she is getting. “Sofia face git more ruddy. The skin move back on her forehead. Her ears raise.” Not only doesn’t she allow Mr. to disrespect her but she doesn't let Harpo either. Sofia also new how to fight back she never allowed anyody to beat her or do anything wrong to her. "Next time us see Harpo his face a mess have to bruises. His lips cut. One of his eyes shut like a fist. He walk stiff and say his teef ache."
Mr. was a very mean hearted person in the story. He didn't really like Celie that much because he said very harsh things, and did some very mean and cruel things to her. "He act like he can't stand me no more. Say I'm evil an always up to no good. He took my other little baby boy this time." Mr. believed in beating women because "wives are like children."You have to let'em know who got the upper hand. Nothng will do that better than a good sound beating." Mr. loved one specific woman in the story even though Celie was the one that he seemed to be with. He just wanted to dowhatver he wanted and he didn't really care who had something to say about. Mr. was a very care free man that didnt care about anyone but himself.
Themes
Preserver
One theme in this story is the way Celie thinks that the only way to preserver is to keep silent and try to make herself invisible. The letters that she wrote to God was a way of expressing herself without anyone knowing. Later in the story she becomes more out spoken to Shug Avery by telling her how she feels and the things that goes on. While in conversation with Shug, Celie discover a letter from her daughter and it gives her confidence to stand up to Mr. Celie then curses Mr. for all the wrong he has done to her and it makes her feel more free and outspoken. After standing up to Mr. Celie’s story dumbfounds and humbles him. It eventually makes him change his own life.
Observer
Celie did a lot of watching and just writing what she saw based on the things that happened. This was a very important thing because her being a very observant person she was able to express or explain things that no one could see. With Celie being able to observe things allows the story to go much more deeper than what the writer just said. It kind of unfolds so the reader can see things that's not on the surface of the story. While Celie observed the things that happened and watch everyone else it allowed the reader to know what happens with other people and not just Celie. Observing also allows the things that were seen to be processed and broken down to a much larger and better description. This was a very special component that Celie had.
Big Ideas
Identity
How would you feel if you didn’t have your own personality or identity? Well this is what Celie struggles with in the story. No one really knew her as Celie they all knew her as Mr.'s maid or just a girl that he had children with. Celie didn’t really know who she was herself. She was never able to express her feelings or thoughts to anyone but God. However, there did come a point in time where she was able to express herself to one person that she probably didn’t think she would and that’s Shug Avery. Before she was able to do that no one cared about her, they didn’t bother to ask her name. This had to have been a very crucial part for Celie.
Choices
A lot of readers would say why did Celie stay in the position she was in for so long, she had many changes to get away. Most readers don’t understand that during that time if you tried to leave from the man that owned you, it’s a possibility that she is going to lose her life. Celie was probably scared to leave and she didn’t know any better because that’s what she was taught as a child. She didn’t realize that what he was doing to her wasn’t right and it was actually a very bad thing. Growing up in the situation she was in leaving or running away wouldn’t be a good idea because one if he found her he could have killed her, or two she would have been dead because she had nowhere else to go. Sometimes readers don’t understand that this wasn’t only happening to Celie it was a very common thing that happens every low class woman.
Major Conflict[s]
It was a lot of conflicts or problems in the story but it was one that was the most important. Celie was raped at a very young child by a man that was supposed to be like a father to her. Not only did he rape her she had more than one child by him. This isn’t something that is normal or it’s supposed to happen. Celie deals with Person vs. Self and Person vs. Peron all throughout the story.
She has many problems with multiple people in the story not including herself. The struggle that Celie is having with herself is she doesn’t think she’s pretty or that anyone loves her because she has been called ugly and other horrible names by so many people. Celie also doesn’t believe that no one cares about the way she feels. Everyone thought that she was less than the bottom of a shoe. You would think that someone knowing or seeing this would try to help her, or tell her that she isn’t those things that she thinks about herself. Apparently no one even bothered to do those things except one person and that's Shug Avery.
Celie also deals with person vs. person. It’s so many people that she deals with in the story that is so mean and just a terrible person to her. With all the things that she has to deal with at home it is even doubled by other people. You would think that some people would be considerate and put themselves in her shoes, but as you can see that doesn’t happen very often. Celie deals with all the problems and issue about herself but the issues of others as well.
New Words
Strumpet- “He talked bout a strumpet in short skirts, smoking cigarettes, drinking gin.”
Haggard- “She looked a little haggard with Sofia and Harpo children sprung on her at once, but she carry on.”
Feebleminded-“But if you smoke it to much it will make you feebleminded.”
Jaunty- “She is a jaunty, stringy, blue-eyed woman, with hair the color of silver and dry grass.”
Tither- “The ship was in a tither.”
Similar Arts, Movies etc
This novel can relate to so many other books and movies that have been written in the past. The book Roots is similar to The Color Purple but it is just showed in a different way. Roots deal with the struggle of African Americans just like The Color Purple. Roots also deal with the issue of a specific individual pointed out in the story that is struggling with many issues of other people and themselves. The two characters are very much similar because they both are stuck in a situation where they are struggling to get out. Hoping that end is only near but not sure if it is.
The movie that has some similar qualities as The Color Purple is E.T The Extra Terrestrial. Both of them deal with one person that is lost and is struggling to get out of the place they are in. Even in the tough times they go through when it looks like they aren’t going to find the end they manage to still hang in there. And even make some friends on the way through their journey, some they were expecting and some not. Both individuals try their best to get out of their bad situation and I'm gladly to say the both of them do.
The picture that I chose to draw was a picture of some clouds and the sun coming through the clouds. The picture symbolizes God and his voice coming through the clouds. God was so important in the story because he was like her protector, listener, and basically her best friend. No one else knew her like he knew her. God was the most important to her because he made feel safe and that she could put all of her trust in him. As she writes in her last journal entry she wrote “Dear God, Dear Stars, Dear trees, Dear Sky, Dear peoples, Dear Everything, Dear God.” This shows her transformation to caring for everyone else except herself to an independent new woman and also that she is now free of all the things that kept her tied down.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/430632107